佛祖統紀 35.102

35.102

Su Zizhan's critique says: "Li Si served Xun Qing, but later burned his books and drastically altered the laws of the ancient former sage kings, acting toward his teacher's way no differently than toward an enemy. Now, examining Xun Qing's writings, one only then understands that everything Li Si used in serving Qin derived from Xun Qing, and is not to be wondered at. Xun Qing was fond of propounding heterodox theories without restraint, and dared to formulate lofty arguments without regard for consequences; his words were what astounded the ignorant and delighted the petty. Zisi and Mencius are those whom the world regards as worthy men and gentlemen; Xun Qing alone said: 'Those who brought chaos to the realm are Zisi and Meng Ke.' The people of the realm are so numerous, and benevolent men and righteous gentlemen are so abundant; Xun Qing alone said: 'Human nature is bad. Jie and Zhou represent human nature; Yao and Shun represent artifice.' Judging from the intent of these words, in character he must have been obstinate, arrogant, and excessively presumptuous of himself. That Li Si was merely an extreme case of this! Now, when petty men commit wrongdoing, they still have something they dread; therefore, through the falls of Xia and Shang and the cruelty and violence of Jie and Zhou, the laws, propriety, music, penal codes, and government of the former kings still did not reach utter extinction beyond study: this is because even Jie and Zhou still preserved something and did not dare abolish it. That Li Si alone was able to act recklessly without regard, burning the Five Classics of the Master, boiling and wiping out the feudal lords of the Three Dynasties, and destroying the well-field system of the Duke of Zhou—for this he must have had something to rely upon! He saw his master comprehensively reviling the worthy men of the realm to justify his own folly, and considering the ancient sage kings all unworthy of emulation; this was provoked by Xun Qing's lofty discourse and heterodox arguments."